March 2013 - Press Release
Saint Paul’s One of the 100 Most Improved Schools in the Country!
Saint Paul’s Catholic High School in Wythenshawe was delighted to be recognised nationally as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country. The school recently received official recognition of their achievement from the Rt Hon David Laws MP Minister of State for Schools.
The school has been highlighted as one of the 100 most improved schools in the country in terms of the progress the pupils have made between their Key Stage 2 results (i.e. when the pupils left primary school) and their GCSE results.
Rt Hon David Laws MP, Minister of State for Schools, said: “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on the excellent GCSE performance of your pupils in 2012.”
“Your results show that you are amongst the 100 best improving schools in terms of the progress your pupils make between Key Stage 2 results and their GCSEs”.
He continued: “I would like to congratulate your staff, governors and pupils for their hard work and success and thank you for your leadership in continuing the drive towards high standards of educational achievement.”
The school achieved excellent GCSE results in 2012: the eighth year running that they had celebrated improved GCSE exam results.
2012 saw the best ever GCSE results for Saint Paul’s with 59% of pupils achieving 5 A* - Cs including Maths and English GCSEs (the government’s preferred measure), an increase of 11% from 2011. Also, the number of pupils attaining 5A* - Cs increased to an all time high of 90%.
“We are delighted to be celebrating national recognition as one of the hundred most improved schools; this is another milestone for the school and is a remarkable achievement,” said Head Teacher, Mr Wiktor Daron. “2012 was an excellent year for pupils at Saint Paul’s; the results were a fantastic achievement. We are very proud of the results which students and staff at the school worked very hard to achieve.”
“I am delighted that once again Saint Paul’s has improved its GCSE results. The school has shown sustained improvements over a number of years and this is down to the hard work and dedication of the Head teacher, the teachers and staff at Saint Paul’s,” commented Councillor Tommy Judge, Chairman of Governors. “I am also delighted for the community of Wythenshawe that they have a school to be proud of.”
Notes for Editors
1.At the last Ofsted inspection of the school in March 2010 the following comments were made by the inspectors: “Good teaching enables students to make good progress and achieve well. Relationships between teachers and students are strong. They result in good behaviour.”
The report stated that the school is “enabling students to learn effectively and make good progress. Attainment is rising rapidly as a result. Achievement for all students, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those with English as an additional language, is good.”
2.The Ofsted report is reinforced by the preceding inspection of the school by the Diocese of Shrewsbury under the guidance of the Bishop of Shrewsbury. The Diocese report stated “Saint Paul’s is a good Catholic school. The Head and Senior Leadership Team have a clear vision ….. an outstanding feature of the school is the pastoral care of students and the support of staff.”
3.The 2012 GCSE results for Saint Paul’s Catholic High School were its best ever with 90% of pupils achieving 5 A* - Cs. 59% of pupils gained 5 A*-C plus English and Maths. This is the eighth year in succession that the school has improved its GCSE pass rate.
4.Saint Paul’s is the first school in Manchester to be awarded Engineering College status.
5.The work of Saint Paul’s drama teacher, Ms Ellie Brookes, was recognised with her winning the much coveted North West Teacher of the Year Award 2009. Also Head of Humanities at Saint Paul’s, Ms Ursula Gallagher, gained third place in the Outstanding New Teacher of the Year category of the Northern Area Teacher of the Year 2010.
6.Lively approaches to teaching maintain vigour and ensure that firm foundations are established for higher level work. The school has a modern approach to learning supported by a programme of constant refurbishment and development of its facilities and resources. Saint Paul’s is currently undergoing a total rebuild with the new school buildings due to open in November.
7.The aims of the school are to:
•Teach and foster a Christian perspective in all that it does
•Provide teaching of the highest calibre
•Promote excellence in all areas
•Develop the ability, talents and character of each pupil, enabling them to make their own unique contribution to school life
•Encourage boys to play their part in helping the community run smoothly and effectively, by taking on responsibility and leadership
More information about Saint Paul’s Catholic High School can be found at www.st-paulshigh.net or contact Jane McAuliffe-Hall (Marketing and Publicity Manager) at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or on 0161 437 5841